Blazers’ Carmelo Anthony Contemplated Retirement During Year Absence

On Monday, ESPN’s NBA writer Tim Bontemps reported that Portland Trail Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo were the player of the week for their respective conferences.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Carmelo Anthony have been named the NBA's Eastern and Western Conference players of the week.

Anthony has barely been back two weeks, and already the 10-time All-Star is being recognized for his play with the Blazers. The team recorded a 3-0 record by defeating the Chicago Bulls twice and the Oklahoma City Thunder. During those three games, Anthony averaged 22.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. The last time Melo was selected as the Player of the Week, he was a member of the New York Knicks in 2014.

Melo has played six games with the Blazers since signing with the team on Nov 14, 2019, and is averaging 17.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 30.7 minutes per game. As for Antetokounmpo, he wrapped up the week by leading the Bucks to a 4-0 record and averaged 34.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 blocks.

ESPN’s Rachel Nichols Recently Interviewed Carmelo Anthony About His Journey Back to the NBA

Earlier today, during an episode of ESPN’s The Jump, Rachel Nichols shared her interview with Carmelo Anthony, and the two discussed what the last couple of weeks have been like for him.

“It has been great. Early on, it was a lot emotionally to deal with being out of the game at that point a year. Just getting the call and having to switch back mentally and emotionally,” said Melo.

During the time that he was out of the league, Melo said that he mentally prepared himself to retire from the NBA.

“I had kind of prepared myself to walk away from the game if the right situation didn’t come about. I was ready to walk away because it’s hard waking up every morning and not knowing what to do, expect, and not knowing what to work on,” Melo said.

After the Los Angeles Clippers blew out the Washington Wizards 150-125 on Sunday afternoon, Kawhi Leonard shared his thoughts about Carmelo Anthony’s return ahead of their matchup against the Blazers later today.

“I’m happy for him. He’s able to get an opportunity. It’s well deserved. I don’t think he was treated the right way, how they kind of left him out there being a future Hall-of-Famer. He’s still got a lot of basketball left,” said Leonard.

Paul George also revealed what he thought about Melo returning to the league after a year absence.

“It’s great! I just hate the narratives that are created by him being back. Melo’s been a great player, he’s gonna be a great player. He’s playing terrific from start to finish. Shoutout Portland for opening that door back up for Melo,” George said.

Before the Clippers took on the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas on Tuesday, forward Patrick Patterson, who was a former teammate of Carmelo when they played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, was interviewed by Fanatics View.

“I’m happy for him! He should have never left in the first place,” said Patterson.